Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-07
THE INSOLENCE OF PRIDE.
1ais Most Serene Highness, Lucifer, has a

k8is Most Serene Highness, Lucifer, has a
- Fail.
From Hubert Howe Banc-ofts History of
Mexico, vol. V.
After the battle of San Jacinto the
Texans captured Santa Anns, hiding il
the grass, and clothed in the miserable
dress of rustic. He wore a skin cap, a
round jacket, pantaloons of blue domestic
cotton, and pair OF soldiers shoes. Be-
ing freed in spite of his Cold-blooded
murder of the American prisoners that
fell into his hands, he returned to Mexico,
and regarding his native country as his
oyster proceeded TO open it for his own
benefit.
After varied career, at times on the
topmost wave of success, and again eX-
ecrated and banished on account of his
heartless corruption, he became promi-
nent for the last time IN the history of
Mexico as the supreme dictator. To this
position he was elected by an overwhel-
ming majority. When he landed in Vera
Cruz be no longer heard the curses that
had followed him into Punishment. The
crowd of adherepts and office seekers
iostled one another st the landiDg-place,
eager to render homage and to
receive the boon of his passing
glance. Among them were leading men
of all parties, VINO stood prepared to
barter principle and prestige for a
patroniZing smile.
His advance toward the capital was a
triumphal march, past streaming banners
and pealing bells, under imposing arches
and floral wreaths, over abject deputs-
lions, and amidst the boom of cannon
and cheers of the multitude. This
homage pleased him. He deigned to
recognize it by eXerting his sovereign
powers to adCrn his courtiers with
firing of nobility. He restored an ord er
that had been established during the en-
pire, and granted it's titles to mis- fawning
sycoFhants. To boorish Republicans who
failed to appreciate these insignia of royal
ty, he explained that they were required
toperpetuate the glories of independence
and to reward merit. At the first public
display of this order, however, as the
members paraded in all their glittering in
sigma, there were those among the gaping
masses VINO were unable to grasp the
solemn import of the display; they pro-
famed the occasion by dubOing the mem
bers of the order hue huerChes. The
nickname passed around with bOisterous
QlIaTlLy anu lOuQu pSTSlSLSuL SCuO
throughout the country.
These and other puerilities were in
dulged in, regardless of the low condi-
ton Cf the treasury. Much time was
wasted in discussing questions of social
precedence and Of the color of
liveries, while depression and misery
stalked abroad. Cholera was adding its
horrors in the central provinces. Lo-
Al DIT
stood menaCed by bands of invaders. In
the'north neglected presidios and colonies
were left to struggle with insufficient
means against savage raiders, while the
newly raised armies waIlowed in ease in
the interior cities TO sustain autocratic
measures and hush murmurings.
The severe DEGREES against conspiratOrs
were applied with greater zeal than ever,
and one prominent man after another who
might prove dangerous to the government
was sent into exile or cast into dungeon.
1t had been the custom to address the
President as "EXceIentisimo," but while
this was doubtless good enough for Santa
SARna's predecessors 1T seemed outrageous
presumption to place such man on the
same level. "Most Serene Highness,"
was, therefore, suggested as more fitting.
sufficient, and wished to add 'mariscal
general, grand elector' and other grand
things. The army, in its despair at being
thus forestalled, wildly proclaimed him
Savior of Mexico The capitol inIorsed
all and everything, and the rabble, which
a few days before had ridiculed the grand
master, now filed the streets with their
'vivas' Santa Anna felt moved by
such devotion and by such popular trib-
ute to his greatness. He knew that the
country would fall into anarchy and ruin
unless he retained firm control, and he
was willing to sacrifice himself for the
public good. Accordingly he issued a de-
cree, prolOnging the dictatorship indef-
nitely, and bestowing upon
himself the the title of Most
Serene Highness.' His self-abnegation
ShOne still further in declining for a
second time the Office of aptain-GenerGl
as well as other titles, and he magnani-
mously refused to swell the burdens of
the people by accepting an increase of
100000 in his pay, for he knew that the
subservient ministers Of finance would
always give preference to his modest
wants.
But pride goeth before fall. His in
fuence was strained to the breaking
point. A revolution commenced glinst
him and gained rapidly in strength. His
forces were defeated ~ the insurgents,
and he was forced to see that d com
plete change of policy was necessary
to maintain his prestige. He summoned
the council and proposed the framing of
9 constitution. He even rendered his
resignation, but it was not accepted. At
last he became convinced that, with an
empty treasury, nothing could be &C
complished, and resolved TO quit the
country. The revolution made such
rapid progress that his departure was
fastened by the fear that bis exit might
be cut off. Thus he fell, like LuCifer,
never TO rise sgain.
FORGED CHECKS.